The American Osteopathic Association (AOA) Bureau of Osteopathic History and Identity recently announced the winners of its eighth annual history essay competition. All essay entries for this contest focused on one of the core principles for teaching the history of osteopathic medicine.

First Place, and the $5,000 prize, was awarded to Kim Armenta, DO, for her essay, “The War to End All Wars and the Search for the Magic Bullet.” In 2009, when Dr. Armenta was an osteopathic medical student, her essay submission, entitled "Unit 2: Osteopathic Medicine’s Experiment at Los Angeles County General Hospital," tied for second place.

Second Place, and the $3,000 prize, was awarded to osteopathic medical student Brandon T. Karmo for his essay, “Not Just Your Average Flu: The Story of Osteopathic Medicine and the Influenza Pandemic of 1918-1919.” Mr. Karmo is a student at Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM).

Dr. Armenta and Mr. Karmo were recognized during the AOA’s recent 117th Annual Osteopathic Medical Conference and Exposition, in San Diego, California.

The American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) congratulates Dr. Armenta and Mr. Karmo on their winning essays.